New faces, old legends. Major League Baseball is seeing somewhat of a change of the guard in its best players. To keep you caught up, here are our 2026 American League rankings for the top three players at each position.
Catcher
1) Shea Langeliers (Athletics) – Langeliers has always been an under-the-radar catcher but he is breaking out this year, hitting .288 with a 2.5 WAR.
2) Ryan Jeffers (Twins) – The Twins have a major trade piece in Jeffers who has 13 home runs and a 2.0 WAR. He’s been a huge bat in their lineup.
3)Samuel Bassalo (Orioles) – At one point the best Orioles prospect, Basallo is living up to the hype with a .277 batting average to go along with nine long balls. He’s splitting catching duties with Adley Rutschman.
First Baseman
1) Nick Kurtz (Athletics) – Kurtz is becoming a top power hitter in the league. He has 11 home runs with 42 RBI while hitting .289.
2) Munetaka Murakami (White Sox) – The Southside Samurai didn’t have many offers this offseason which has been a mistake. He’s crushed 20 home runs and has a 1.9 WAR.
3) Ben Rice (Yankees) – Rice is having his own breakout year in New York. He has 1.047 OPS and has belted 17 home runs.
Second Baseman
1) Ernie Clement (Blue Jays) – Clement has been one of the better bats in the Blue Jays lineup this season. He has 19 doubles and a .775 OPS.
2) Cole Young (Mariners) – At 22, Young has a chance to be a part of a very special Mariners core. He has a great glove and the highest WAR amongst all AL second basemen at 2.2.
3) Ezequiel Duran (Rangers) – Duran has driven in 32 runs this season and is hitting .294. He’s been in the league since 2022 but is having his best year.
Third Baseman
1) Miguel Vargas (White Sox) – Vargas has been the best third baseman in the league this year. 15 home runs, .505 slugging percentage, and a WAR of 2.4.
2) Jose Ramirez (Guardians) -This isn’t a list without JRam. He is having a down year with his bat, hitting in the .230s but his glove is still powering his WAR and he’s driven in 31 runs.
3) Junior Caminero (Rays) – Caminero is hitting .279 with 14 home runs and an .886 OPS.
Shortstop
1) Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals) – Witt Jr. is one of the best players in baseball as a true 5-tool guy. He is hitting .283, has been great with the leather, and has a leading WAR at 3.4
2) Kevin McGonigle (Tigers) – A legit Rookie of the Year candidate, McGonigle has lived up to his hype and is one of the best hitters in the game, hitting .285.
3) Colson Montgomery (White Sox) – Montgomery was a first-round selection for the White Sox and he is breaking out with 15 home runs and a 1.9 WAR.
Left Field
1) Cody Bellinger (Yankees) – Bellinger came back to New York and it’s been a great season, with an .853 OPS and a 3.5 WAR.
2) Randy Arozarena (Mariners) – The bat is working for Randy Arozarena who is hitting .284 and is using his speed in a big way with 17 swiped bags already.
3) Riley Greene (Tigers) – Greene already has 103 total bases, hitting .308, and has 16 doubles as the best bat in Detroit.
Center Field
1) Mike Trout (Angels) – He is back! Feels like it’s been a second since Trout was at the top of a list. He’s hit 14 home runs, has 104 total bases, and leads center fielders in WAR at 2.5
2) Cedanne Rafaela (Red Sox) – Rafaela is hitting for contact at .279, he can swipe bags with 5 stolen bases, but his glove is the best part of his game.
3) Byron Buxton (Twins) – Is this the year where Buxton gets traded? Teams should be calling given his 17 home runs and 1.9 WAR.
Right Field
1) Aaron Judge (Yankees) – No shocker, here. Judge has mashed 17 home runs, driven in 38 runs, and has a .907 OPS.
2) Wilyer Abreu (Red Sox) – Abreu has the best WAR amongst right fielders in the AL. He has a gold glove, is hitting .280, and has driven in 25 runs.
3) – Luke Raley (Mariners) – Raley has power and he has used it well this season with 13 home runs and 31 runs batted in.
Designated Hitter
1) Yordan Alvarez (Astros) – Not a massive shocker here. Alvarez has 21 home runs, he has driven in 42 runs and has a 2.4 WAR.
2) Yandy Diaz (Rays) – Diaz has the highest batting average in the league at .314 and 1.9 WAR as he is the best bat in the Tampa lineup.
3) Joc Pederson (Rangers) – Pederson is having a nice bounce back year, hitting .253 with 8 home runs.
Starting Pitchers
1) Cam Schlittler (Yankees) – He has taken the top spot in the AL and ran with it. Schlitter has a 1.5 ERA, .85 WHIP, and is striking out guys at a massive rate, 10.1 Ks/9.
2) Davis Martin (White Sox) – The Sox have an ace in Martin who has the second highest WAR for starters, has a .99 WHIP, and a 2.00 ERA.
3) Nick Martinez (Rays) – At 35, this has been a huge shocker that Martinez has the third best WAR for starters, 1.62 ERA, and hardly allows any runs or walks.
Relief Pitchers
1) Cade Smith (Guardians) – After the Emmanuel Clase controversy, Smith has stepped right in and made it look easy with 20 saves which leads the league.
2) Bryan Baker (Rays) – The Rays have rebuilt their bullpen, and Baker has been an important part of that in the back end with 16 saves this season.
3) Erik Sabrowski (Guardians) – The Guardians have the best closer in the AL and the best setup man too. Sabrowski has a 1.7 ERA with 17 holds.